Typhoon Morakot

On 9 August 2009, Typhoon Morakot struck China’s south-east coast, affecting more than 3.4 million people across China, Taiwan and Philippines. The death toll from the disaster reached 126 with hundreds more people missing. World Vision was able to provide assistance to affected families in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Background

On 9 August 2009, Typhoon Morakot struck China’s south-east coast destroying hundreds of houses and flooding farmland. Almost one million people were forced to evacuate ahead of the storm, which hit with winds of up to 119km/h.

In China, Typhoon Morakot affected 8.8 million people across Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces. Reports indicate that six people were killed, and 1.4 million people were evacuated to safety.

In the Philippines, a reported 13,000 people were displaced in Zambales.

World Vision’s Response

World Vision provided immediate relief to affected families in Taiwan and the Philippines. In China, World Vision monitored the situation and decided a response was not necessary in the well-resourced coastal province.

Taiwan

World Vision's response effort in Taiwan assisted over 8,700 people, with activities including:

The provision of food, clean water and cleaning materials to households

The distribution of relief kits including food, wter, clothing, cleaning appliances and items for children to over 5,000 families

The provision of shelter materials

The establishment of 10 Child Friendly Spaces to care for more than 4,451 children

Philippines The response effort in the Philippines included:

Provision of food aid to nearly 2,000 displaced families

Distribution of bread and water to almost 800 people, including 264 children in two evacuation centres

Children Sponsored by Australians

In the Philippines, some families from sponsorship programs took refuge in evacuation centres or with relatives. No sponsored children were reported injured.